Airline seat numbering; why are some letters missing?

FWVT · 04-07-2015 5:56pm #1

Ok, maybe another stupid question, but why do some airlines skip some letters in their seat-numbering schemes, e.g. Iberia A346 below, which has no B, F, I or K?

pepe the prawn · 04-07-2015 6:02pm

FWVT wrote: »

Ok, maybe another stupid question, but why do some airlines skip some letters in their seat-numbering schemes, e.g. Iberia A346 below, which has no B, F, I or K?
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I would hazard a guess and say it's so as to prevent confusion while boarding and to make cabin crews lives easier.

i.e b sounds like c, d sounds like e so when a seat number is mentioned it's clear and unambiguous above the noise of passengers and the cabin noise.

I might be wrong, complete shot in the dark.

VG31 · 04-07-2015 6:05pm

I can't fully answer your question but I think airlines often have A for window, B for middle seat and C for aisle (and similarly J, K & L).
Since there is no middle seats to left of the left aisle and to the right of the right aisle, the letter B is skipped (and K is skipped for the right-hand seats).
If this numbering method is used it reduces confusion as A is always windows, C is always aisle etc.

I'm not sure why the letter F is skipped but taking a guess it might be in case of aircraft with 5 seats between the aisles.

I is usually skipped as it can be confused with the number 1.

3rdDegree · 04-07-2015 6:08pm

Another guess. Maybe it's to accommodate bigger (and maybe non-existing) aircraft. Let's say they want to accommodate a lettering system which can accommodate a craft with the columns of seats of 3, 6 and 3.

Then for instance, A and C are always window and aisle on the left column, regardless of plane type.

Tenger · 04-07-2015 6:28pm

Imagine a 10 seat across aircraft:
ABC-DEFG-HKJ

This narrows to 8 across further back
AC-DEFG-HJ

In First class it may only have 4 across.
A-DG-J

In Business class it has 6 across.
AC-DG-HJ

The same airline operates a narrow body B737/A320. It is 6 across.
ABC-HKJ
(This last exampe is a bit of a stretch perhaps?)

All windows are A and J.
All aisles are C,D,G,H.

Easier to know what letter is what type of seat.

I is never used as it looks too much like 1.

This system differs from airline to airline but the underlying logic is the same. Pick a system that works on your entire fleet.